The Australian Government has published details about the applications and assessment process for funding of bicycle infrastructure under its $40m Cycle Paths Fund, announced as part of its Economic Stimulus package.

The Fund has been rolled into a $650 million Jobs Fund which will be administered by several government agencies, with the cycle path component under the jurisdiction of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Time lines are tight for funding applications with the submission deadline 22nd May 2009 for funding that will start from the 1st July 2009 and not extend beyond 30th June 2010.

From the Premier of Victoria: $115 plan paves the way for Victoria's cycling future (Monday 23 March 2009)

Encouraging Victorians to ride their bikes and integrating new and existing cycling infrastructure into the transport network are key features of the $115 million Victorian Cycling Strategy, launched today by Premier John Brumby.

Mr Brumby released the strategy today with Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas at North Fitzroy where a new bike and pedestrian bridge will be built over the Merri Creek, linking two important cycling routes.

The 2008 Bicycling Achievement Awards will be presented in Canberra today at an event presided over by former Victorian Premier The Hon Steve Bracks.

“We received a record number of high quality nominations from across the country and our winners reflect the very best examples from individuals and groups working to promote and encourage cycling” said Rosemarie Speidel, Program Director at the Cycling Promotion Fund.

The Australasian Cycling History Conference 2009 is the biennial conference for cycle collectors, enthusiasts and historians from Australia and the surrounding region.

This event will be hosted by the City Museum, situated in the historic former Treasury Building in the City of Melbourne.

• City Museum @ Old Treasury Melbourne, Victoria 17th - 19th April 2009

The Cycling Promotion Fund and the Amy Gillett Foundation launch a series of video clips designed to improve road safety at 7.30pm at Federation Square, Friday 20th February as part of the Sustainable Living Festival.

The dramatic increase in bicycle rider numbers over recent years has lead to large numbers of relatively inexperienced bicycle riders. These video clips provide bicycle riders and would be riders with practical tips on how to avoid common hazards when riding in traffic.

The Australian Government and the Greens have agreed to amendments to the $42 billion economic stimulus package, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

Thousands of Australians are getting on their bike today with this year's Tour Down Under participation event at record numbers.

The huge public response to this world class event, a record 7041 participants in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour is a reflection of the growing interest Australians have for cycling.

This is more than double last year’s number and well above the 652 riders who participated in the inaugural 2003 Community Challenge event.

• Read the full CPF Media Release (PDF file)
  

The Commonwealth Government has established a National Preventative Health Taskforce to provide evidence-based advice to governments and health providers on preventative health programs and strategies, focusing on the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco and the excessive consumption of alcohol.

The discussion paper by the taskforce sets a target to make Australia the healthiest country by 2020.

• Link to the Australia: The Healthiest Country by 2020 discussion paper
• Link to Cycling Promotion Fund Submission (PDF, 196kb)